New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-01-13
TEACH THE WORKERS.

To the Edttor Of The Tribune
SIR: I have become very much interested In the
series Of letters which you are publishing in regard
TO the "women wago-workers" Of our great cities.
In your Issue Of January 2 you print in connection
with the letter by Mrs Campbell another by lazy
Who signs herself al r." which letter contains III
the shape OF bitter personal experience crit
icsm UPON some former utteances Of your paper Tx
regard sending those women who are In desperate
circumstances out of the cities and into the homes OF
rural population, there to become general house,
keepers. without limiting at any answer to the
criticism Of al. r." far the same IL contained
in personal knowledge. wish to offer a few sugges
tons.
For some time I have resided In New England rs
Iastor OF different churches In small villages. one
year was rent in a little village under the shadow
OF the White Mountains, and the rest OF my tine
where / am at present. This problem Of good help
in the house has been serious one wherever have
been. In the village where / formerly resided there
IL often great scarcity Of those who are willing at
any RI t. do housewOrls Thl, is complaint thaS
haS reached ny ears continually from meny sorrces
The same idea to the degradation Of "hircd help
got into minds OF country girls that Is mani
fes'ed in the letter from Fl r. let me cite an IN
stance. In the village mentioned househeeper Of
average ability, and many girls who were only able 70
wait at table, were paid from a. so TO "a per week.
with boarl and washing included Yet many people
were unable to obtain good help Notices were pun
up in the village that a shoe shop would soon DO
Openol and female help wanted. In very shOra
time the whole number needed, between fifty and
seventy five, engaged, when 1t was wei KNOWN
that the highest wJges earned by week OF tel
would not he over s5.' and this OF course Included
neither boarl washing. It wds one OF the stiurs
Jokes for Ole to say Look out for lie sn ~hen
We we've about TO start on a iOsr..ey, al"i have
known OF where visit TO the Hub" was VIII.
Tia object in view, and the result the appearance oa
some German woman among us, VINO was ehtifey nc"
To our people and customs. Yet at The Same
Ina Of
shops and mills.
No doubt there are some very disagreeable women
among those who need help, yet here as elsewhere
tho average is fair have worked for some very
ulen, and l suppose that there are sohe very
people among my congregations, pu1 IL Is ihy ios
to visit among those TO whom minister at an pnies
and under various circumstances, and unless they
play the hypocri quite thoroughly am Persuanea
that the trbuatons Of "hired help" indoors are no
worse than tho tr ais OF the same outdoors. II ten
o. almost constant service at day labor among
cur farming population, or two years OF preaching
services in our villages. toieh me any thing' ~ IS
that Notwithstanding "lOng hours and hafd LABOR
the "hirel help" OF our country population are as
well treated, clothed and fed any class OF day
workers in the world
II l. true that country people do not want those
who work for them to come in rags, nor will they
have such Nor yet are they willing " educate thoso
who come to cook II the surplus population OF our
is to find outlet here, II must ue When eey
are prepared TO do the WORK.
l. not here a chance for practical charity The
TRIBUNE has found how quickly country homes arc
OIL ned To those who need purer air when the people
know that the matter L. one of ShIh tEln uuty Leu
the "Frcsh Air. movement teach us little. PriNato
ntelCence Offices iule. arc an aDonilnalion
vet | am loI,i,c that If some movement could be
arted whereby practical lessons In cookery ana gen.
raj bouseworA could be given for number OF
non rs fir 0 Of cost, and II this movement could %
VoucAed for by such and interests as are back OF
the al rrsh Air" movement. il could BE- or positive
benefit 1t strikes me also that IL our public school
system he actual in the settlement OF social
roblems and for the benefit Of the poor 1t wonl be
tovd policy try dsipate some OF the dense gno-
rance about cookery What l. needed at least by Guy
girls who de ire country homes is perhaps not less
lnowdge of the evolution of governments or OF III
craure but at least more knowledge OF the evolution
o. grildle cakes or loaf OF bread.
Put su, h movement its feet, and then put its
leaders In communication with the pastors and people
of country villages, and believe the way Is opened
kJt a great christian work and one that l am s''ro
every true Christian minister would consider part
of his " labor in the vineyard
l would say in conclusion that this letter is noe
vr ten for publication, hut TO furnish you with few
facts from my own experience that may aid you Ia
\ our noble work. They at your disposal either
for Tho waste basket wherever you may see ut 10
nsc them Yours for love of every effort to aid oun
fellows.
Bost0n. Ian Z. 1877.